i'm a newbie. I have basic knowledge about C++, Java. I wanted to ask if what kind of specialty should I take? I know it sounds childish but I'm still young too and I need to pick a specialty in my college course and I wanted to be a hacker, you know the tracker/cracker type. Should I get a network and systems, CISCO perhaps? Thank you!

btw, I'm taking a BS in Computer Science college course and what languages do I have to learn? I know only the basics of C++ and Java. I'm planning to take a course in SecurityTube too concerning Python. Is that a good idea?

Last edited by peaceman13 on Thu May 24, 2012 7:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Learn a lot about everything. Keep programming, it will help out eventually. Make sure you learn the fundamentals and theory behind networks and applications. It's also helpful if you have SOME idea of what part of security you want to be in. Everything you mentioned would be good to know

If you're doing a BS in CS, you'll be exposed to several different programming languages and cover a lot of theory. You won't cover as much on the systems/networking side (e.g. Linux/Windows administration, Cisco). For now, learn whatever interests you. As you get close to graduating you can focus on filling in the gaps. Do try to get some practical experience and/or at least one cert before graduation. Any experience, even help desk will be useful. For certs, I'd suggest the CCNA starting out. It's hard to get a security job straight out of school and the CCNA will help you to land a networking job where you can build your skills.

A manager needs to have experience in some area of security, but may not need a specific skill set. In a high level position (e.g. chief information security officer), you should have a broad knowledge of security and will probably have specific experience in at least one area (network security, pen testing, etc). At a lower level, you will probably need to have experience in the area you are managing. Managers generally don't write code although in a small shop you might have to do some hands on.

As a pen tester, you'll need to be able to write shell scripts and potentially do some automation or parsing with shell scripts, or a scripting language like Python or Perl.

As a reverse engineer, you'll need to know C/C++ and have solid assembly language skills. You will probably use a scripting language to automate tasks or build small tools as well. You'll be analyzing binaries, looking at code disassembled into assembly, and writing small tools and scripts to help you along. It's possible to reverse engineer Java and .Net also, but you're more likely to work with C/C++ programs.

Hey,I am not really experienced but here's what I am doing...1. Learn x86asm which is a really though to learn. Algorithms, Algorithms!!!2. Learn an OS Completely. (In a way that you can write a version of your own, like Linux , BSD). You can also do some C while learning the OS.3. Get your hands on some pentesting tools (Backtrack , BackBox etc.)4. Now... Google is your best friend! (Don't Forget about Youtube!) You can learn Pearl, Python, Ruby etc along with Pentesting.5. For the first few days Hack your own WiFi. Search "HOW TO Hack WEP with Backtrack". It will give you an idea.6. Securitytube also offers great materials if you don't have problems with the decent ascent of Vivek.7. www.hackthissite.org8. www.catb.org/esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html - Awesome Guide.9. http://securityreliks.securegossip.com/ ... eginnings/ - This one is also worth seeing.10. Grab a cookie! You're now an ELITE h4x02!

The steps above are a little hard to achieve. I know... but if you start with Python or similar languages you will not really learn anything but how to code.If you start with x86asm, learning other languages are just a piece of cake!

This is how I'm doing this. If you want we can do the steps together and fix our mistakes in the process and other things.

if u studing programming i think u have a great background to start hacking i mentioned this course before to but again i do it again www.hackerhighschool.orgIts a greate place to start2 be ethical dont break law3 learn virtualization and create a hacking lab with it use virtual box4 download backtrack and learn linux5 learn assembly 6 learn html7 dont forget practise and study7 be patient!!!Goodluck

Last edited by cyber.spirit on Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.